U.S. Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker Amid Sanctions Controversy

Days after President Donald Trump announced a blockade on Venezuela's oil industry, a second crude oil tanker was seized in the Caribbean. The fact that the seized tanker does not appear on U.S., EU, UK, or other international sanction lists raises questions about the operation.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the U.S. had "recently seized an oil tanker anchored in Venezuela." The operation was reportedly conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Department of Defense (Pentagon).

Videos shared regarding the incident show a helicopter approaching the ship, with military personnel visible on the deck. The helicopter notably circled the moving vessel during sunrise.

According to The New York Times, U.S. troops boarded the ship to inspect its registration and cargo documents. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the tanker was suspected of carrying Venezuelan oil subject to U.S. sanctions.

The seized tanker, named Centuries, is registered under the Panama flag. According to Equasis data, the ship was purchased by the Chinese company Centuries Shipping in 2021 and has been registered in Panama since then. Built in 2001, the tanker has a carrying capacity of 309,460 dwt.

Data from TankerTrackers.com indicates that Centuries loaded 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil. This voyage is reported to be at least the seventh trip the vessel has made to Venezuela. It is estimated that the ship was en route to China, with emphasis placed on the fact that it has no connection to Iranian oil trade.

Donald Trump stated in an announcement on Tuesday, December 16, that their targets were to blockade and stop tankers involved in Venezuelan oil trade that fall under sanctions. TankerTrackers.com reported earlier in the week that out of over 70 tankers detected in the region, 38 were sanctioned tankers in the waters surrounding Venezuela.

Source: www.denizhaber.com